Breaking Out of Bondage
I am on the run! I am in search of a new life. Looking for my true self. The person that stands today is peeling off the layers of years of colonization and indoctrination. What lies underneath is pure unadulterated, untouched, unaltered, rich Earth rooted in years of tradition, culture, and his and her story that gives me great pride. You might as well call me Harriet because I am on the run from my oppressors.
Can I tell you something and you won't get upset with me? I think it's best I do. It's for your own benefit. Shhh...come closer. We are still enslaved. The plan didn't pivot, they are still on course. We've just been brainwashed to follow along. Like sheep they've lead us to slaughter.
In this chilling tale, captives found themselves empathizing with their captors, forming an unexpected alliance amidst the fear and uncertainty. Over time, hostages began to develop a sense of loyalty and even affection towards those who held them captive, defying conventional expectations of victim-perpetrator dynamics.
This psychological twist sheds light on the complexity of human behavior under extreme duress, where survival instincts intertwine with the longing for connection and innerstanding. Stockholm Syndrome continues to captivate psychologists, criminologists, and storytellers like myself, offering a profound glimpse into the enigmatic workings of the human mind in the face of adversity. Does any of this sound familiar?
I know from an wide angle it looks as if we're acending into a higher class of people. We have managed to educated ourselves, dress ourselves, land careers that validate our very existence, and purchased the house with the white picket fence. If some of you were to examine your own perspectives, you would probably say you have conquered the "American Dream". My question to you is...you don't see that as an issue...if you're not...American? And before you go get all hostile like so many of you low vibrational beings like to do, and start throwing digital stones, please read this with an open heart to receive. It wasn't long ago our ancestors had to fight for the right to be even called human. To our oppressors we were, for so long considered chattel. Prior to Civil War, the Constitution contained provisions that implicitly dehumanized enslaved individuals, particularly the "Three-Fifths Compromise" founded in Article I, Section 2, Clause 3. So, I innerstand you might've been born in the Americas...that doesn't make you an American. What it makes you, just like me is one of the lost children. I was born in the Americas; however, by design is screaming Afrakan. My skin, my hair, the food I must ingest, the Sun I must absorb, the way I move, my natural rhythm, my natural intuition...it screams Afrakan...and they see it. We just don't.
The Three Fifths Compromise, established during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of determining a state's representation in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College. If you don't believe me, do your own research. I encourage it. This is what a college education teaches you when you go to a HBCU. Not to mention, at one time I thought I wanted to be a lawyer...Political Science...not for the faint at heart. I digress.
This compromise was a result of the contentious debate between Northern and Southern states over representation and taxation.
By counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person, slaveholding states were able to bolster (pad or cushion) their representation in Congress and the Electoral College, despite the fact that enslaved people themselves had no rights or liberties under the Constitution.
This provision was a stark reminder of the dehumanizing effects of slavery and institutionalized racism in early American history. It symbolized the inherent contradictions within a nation founded on the principles of liberty and equality, while simultaneously perpetuating a system of oppression based on race.
While the Three-Fifths Compromise was abolished with the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865, its legacy continues to shape discussions around race, equality, and justice in the Americas...it's hard to write United because I would only be writing a lie, and I am here to be true. It serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles and injustices faced by my people throughout the nation's history.
The concept of race has complex origins and has been shaped by various historical, cultural, and scientific factors over time. It's important to note that race is a social construct rather than a biological reality, meaning that it is based on subjective perceptions and interpretations, rather than inherent biological differences.
However, the modern idea of race as it is commonly understood today emerged during the European colonial expansion and the Translatlantic Slave Trade (we'll discuss that at a later date.) During this period, Europeans developed racial classifications to justify and rationalize the exploitation and subjugation (suppressing) of non-European people.
One influential figure in the development of racial ideas was the Swedish scientist Carolus Linnaeus, who in the 18th century classified humans into distinct racial categories based on physical characteristics such as skin color and facial features. Linnaeus' taxonomy laid the groundwork for the hierarchical racial theories that would come to dominate European thought. Of course, in modern times you will need to do a little more research due to the scrubbing of the brutal truths. When surfacing Linnaeus, his legacy reads a hero in the eyes of the Europeans, "The Father of Taxation", and the creator of naming organism...including Afrakans.
Additionally, Europeans colonization and imperialism played a significant role in shaping racial ideologies. The racial hierarchies established by colonial powers justified the subjugation of indigenous people and the enslavement of Afrakans, perpetuating the idea of racial superiority and inferiority.
It's essential to recognize that the concept of race is not fixed or universal, but rather has evolved and been contested throughout history. Today, many scholars and activist like myself advocate for a more nuanced innerstanding of race as a social construct that is shaped by power dynamics, historical context, and cultural beliefs.
Now that you have the fundamentals let's go further down the rabbit hole. My stance is I believe we're still enslaved. I only write my stance because it's my perception, and I can only speak on that. However, being one who likes to educate and enlighten, I feel it's my duty to always share what I know...especially if it's for your benefit. "Why would you say an awful thing like that? How can you say you're in slavery? That's what your ancestors fought for... For freedom." I am only getting out the way what some of you are saying. Now...shall we continue?
Let's play a game. It's a question game. Grab a pen and paper, and I am going to ask you a series of questions, and for every question that you say yes to, give yourself a point. At the end I want you to tally up the points...we'll stop there.
- Do you have an employer?
- Do you have a mortgage with an interest rate?
- Do you have a credit card?
- Do you have a car payment?
- Do you have a student loan?
- Do you eat sugar, refined or not?
- Do you eat fast food?
- Do you drink alcohol?
- Do you smoke cigarettes, vapes, etc.?
- Do you have a religion?
- Do you go to a college?
- Did you go to a college?
- Did you graduate?
- Did you go to a public school?
- Did you ever get called the "N" word or have you ever been racially profiled?
- Have you ever been mistreated, abused mentally, physically, or emotionally due to your skin color?
- Have you ever had to prove your intelligence due to your skin color?
- Have you ever been on display in front of Europeans? "Oh I love your hair. Can I touch it?"
- Do you eat red meats?
- Do you eat pork?
- Do you eat pre-packaged bread?
- Do you eat can foods or frozen foods approved by the FDA?
- Do you go to an European doctor?
- Are you on prescription drugs?
- Do you eat chicken?
- Do you drink cow's milk?
- Do you eat processed cheese?
- Do you wear European designer clothes and shoes?
- Do you wear hair extensions, enhancements, or wigs that resembles European textures or design?
- Do you wear European style clothing?
- Do you talk English only?
- Do you work to pay bills?
- Can you do a no-show from work without punishment or consequence?
- Do you eat an European diet?
- Can you leave the country without proper documentation?
- Can you not pay taxes without punishment?
- Can you have a phone call without being recorded?
- Can you go anywhere in the country without being tracked or traced?
- Do you have to tell IRS how much money you make?
- Economic Exploitation: During the era of imperialism and colonialism, European powers exploited Afraka's resources and labor through violent conquest, forced labor, and unequal trade relationships. This exploitation stripped many Afrakan nations of their wealth and natural resources, perpetuating cycles of poverty and underdevelopment that continue to affect black communities today.
- Cultural Suppression and Erasure: Colonialism often involved the imposition of European culture and values upon indigenous people, leading to the suppression and erasure of native cultures, languages, and traditions. This cultural imperialism has had lasting effects on the identity and self-esteem of black populations, as they continue to grapple with the legacy of colonialism and the marginalization of their cultural heritage. As it was recorded saying, "Strip them of their heritage, and the people perish. Don't tell them where they came from."
- Institutional Racism and White Supremacy: White supremacy, rooted in the belief in the superiority of the white race, has been a driving force behind colonialism and imperialism. This ideology has been used to justify the subjugation and exploitation of black populations, both during the colonial era and in the present day. Institutional racism, entrenched within political, economic, and social systems, perpetuates disparities in areas such as education, employment, healthcare, and criminal justice, disproportionately impacting black communities.
- Inter-generational Trauma: The effects of colonialism, white supremacy, and imperialism has resulted in inter-generational trauma within black communities, stemming from centuries of systemic violence, oppression, and discrimination. This trauma manifests in various forms, including higher rates of mental health issues, substance abuse...including alcohol, and violence, as well as challenges in building and maintaining healthy relationships and communities.
- Resistance and Resilience: Despite the enduring impacts of imperialism and colonialism, black communities have demonstrated remarkable resilience and resistance in the face of adversity. From the struggles against slavery and colonial rule to contemporary movements for racial justice and equality, black individuals and communities have continuously fought against oppression and injustice, advocating for their rights and reclaiming their legacy.
